The True Value of Faith: Following the Rituals or Following the Principles of Jesus?

 

For a man who believes faith is the foundation of life. Apart from faith, no work, service, or participation in church has worth in the sight of God. The Bible teaches us that salvation is in Christ alone, not through rituals or customs. For it is written, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). This is why we start here.

Faith is confused with ritual far too often. We think that going to church each Sunday or doing things man's way will make us righteous. But faith is likewise dead if it does not change the heart and the way we treat one another. Here is how Jesus himself put this: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). If we say the name of Jesus with our lips, but there is still hatred in our hearts or unforgiveness born through others' actions against us, then this confession is useless.

Rituals can make you look holy, but they cannot save. Lighting a candle, shutting a prayer which we end with “Amen Jesus,” the passive observance of tradition is never going to replace Jesus’ command to forgive one another, heal someone wounded or most radical of all, love our enemies. You were also taught by me to honour the people.” Jesus rebuked the Pharisees by saying, “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Matthew 15:8-9). Outward religion is in vain if the heart does not change.

True faith produces fruit. As Paul writes, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit is not made by any ritual. It comes not at all from a life not yielded to Christ. For by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: – Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). People are impressed by rituals, but only faith rooted in Christ brings a change of soul.

What, indeed, should faith be worth? It does not consist of a form; it is the doctrine of Jesus Christ. He commanded us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). These are not just words; they are what being a Christian is all about. And if I stretch out my hands towards heaven, will not my knees tremble upon the earth? Do I get "the heart" of Christ if I pray long prayers while harbouring bitterness in my heart? God does NOT pay attention to how long we pray or how often we observe religious ceremonies; God looks into our hearts!

The risk of religion that is a shell. We could have piety towards men, but be so far from God. Jesus himself warned against wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). “… for us, acting on the outside without inward renewal makes us hypocrites.” God says unequivocally, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6; repeated by Jesus in Matthew 9:13). For I desire mercy, love and obedience, not sacrifice, ritual or tradition.

The flesh finds comfort in rituals, but they are powerless to confer eternal life. And this eternal life is in the Son of God who suffered, died, and rose again on the third day. It is only through Him that we have eternal life (John 11:25–26). When we live by ritual, we only concern ourselves with the approval of men; when we live by faith, we do what pleases God.

I would just encourage each believer to test their faith. "Are you holding to the traditions of men which have been given, or are you walking in the Footsteps of Jesus? Paul writes, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Real faith brings us to Christ, but vain religion keeps us at the outside in a land of mere looks.

Reflection for the Reader

So now, dear reader, I ask you. Is your religion a set of forms, or is it a power in the soul, manifesting itself by obedience to the laws of Christ? Do you love your neighbour as yourself? So, do you forgive as Christ forgave you? Do you walk each day surrendered to the will of God, or is it only a show for others in religion?

Take this time to think. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The ceremonies will vanish, but a life of obedience to Jesus will echo for eternity. Decide today to walk out not the dead tradition, but in the living, eternal truth of Christ. If, after all this, you say, “Well, now tell me the ceremonies I must bind upon myself,” I will reply that God does not inquire how often you prayed or fasted or of what family and race you were... but whether He is your Father, and Christ His only-begotten Son alone is acknowledged by the believer as his master.